Canoa Ranch

Santa Lucia - The Santa Lucia acquisition, encompassing Santa Lucia Ranch and the Rancho Seco, comprises 10,000 acres of private land and 27,000 acres of grazing leases in the stunning Altar Valley. Its preservation required more than four years of negotiation between the landowners, the Arizona Open Land Trust and Pima County. It is the largest private land purchase in the history of Pima County.  The Santa Lucia, as the combined Rancho Seco and Santa Lucia ranch are known, sits just north of Arivaca and directly abuts the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge.(PDF, 1.0 Mb)

Canoa Ranch - In 2001 the Arizona Open Land Trust, working closely with Pima County, conserved approximately 1500 acres of the historic Canoa Ranch as permanent open space and wildlife habitat. The Canoa Ranch has long been appreciated by residents of Pima County for its beauty, historic structures and colorful past. In addition, the Canoa Ranch lands offer significant wildlife movement corridors through several washes that cross the property. The historic De Anza Trail runs right through the property along the Santa Cruz River. The Madera Wash links Canoa Ranch and the Santa Cruz River corridor to the Nogales Ranger District of the Colorado National Forest and the Demetrie and Esperanza Washes link the Canoa Ranch to the Sierrita Mountains. The Arizona Open Land Trust and Pima County were able to protect this important cultural landmark, wildlife habitat, and public open space in an area heavily pressured by development.

Buckelew Family Lands, Altar Valley - In September of 2002 the Arizona Open Land Trust, in partnership with Pima County, purchased 500 acres of the Buckelew Family lands (located just three miles west of Three Points), a keystone acquisition that will help protect the entire Altar Valley and aid in the restoration of the Brawley Wash. Dr. William Shaw, Chair of the Science and Technical Advisory Team for the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan says: "As we begin to build the conservation system envisioned by the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, this property is important to protect." The Madera Highlands property was acquired to protect the Altar Wash floodplain and to protect landscape connectivity throughout the Altar Valley. The property provides habitat for the federally endangered Pima Pineapple Cactus and is adjacent to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. Scenic vistas of the Baboquivari Mountains, Coyote Mountains Wilderness Area, Cerro Colorado and Sierrita Mountains are protected with this acquisition.